World Communion Sunday at Memorial Presbyterian; responding to violence, terrorism in upcoming workshop

From staff

Published Friday, September 30, 2005

World Communion Sunday at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 36 Sevilla St., will offers the Gospels in Chinese and Spanish and breads from all different nations.

Dr. Dwyn Mounger, interim pastor, will speak on "How Wide is the Lord's Table?" Shuman Bruinius, a native of Taiwan, will read the first lesson in Mandarin Chinese. The epistle, in Spanish, will be by William Gonzalez, exchange student from Columbia at St. Augustine High School.

The congregation will have English translations.

Children bearing breads common to different nations and wearing international costumes will march down the aisles of St. Augustine's Memorial Presbyterian Church Sunday.

In both the 8:30 and 11 a.m. service, the young people will present the loaves at the holy table as part of the congregation's observance of "World Communion Sunday."

Begun 70 years ago by North American Christians, the annual event, always on the first weekend of October, has become a tradition in many Protestant denominations throughout the globe.

Crucifers are Christopher Pritchard (8:30) and Sharon Spaulding (11). Holy Communion will be open to everyone who has been baptized in any Christian tradition.

Coffee in the church gardens will follow both services. The church is located at 32 Sevilla St., beside the Flagler College campus.

Response to violence

The response to violence and terrorism will be the topic of discussion Oct. 14-16 when Memorial Presbyterian hosts the Rev. Dr. Paul K. Hooker in a program entitled "Faithful Living in a Time of Violence and Terrorism."

Hooker has extensive experience in teaching Biblical studies and the history of Israel. He has taught at Emory University, Candler School of Theology, Columbia Seminary, Agnes Scott College, Oglethorpe University, Georgia State University and Florida Community College.

The three-day event opens at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14, with a light supper served in Memorial's fellowship hall and a program, "Faith and Fear."

Coffee and doughnuts will be served at 9 a.m. Oct. 15, and a light lunch will be available at noon.

Saturday morning's program is "Definitions" and "Why Terrorism Arises," while the afternoon gathering -- 12:20 to 2 p.m. -- is entitled "Responses and Theological Perspectives."